Netanyahu sees Iran as most urgent concern

7/14/13 10:47 AM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says leaders in his region are in agreement that Iran’s progress on nuclear weapons trumps concerns about Syria and Egypt.

Appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation" Sunday, Netanyahu criticized the new Iranian president as “a wolf in sheep's clothing,” saying that he had bragged about talking with European countries while completing a nuclear conversion plan.

“All the problems that we have, however important, will be dwarfed by this messianic, apocalyptic, extreme regime that would have atomic bombs,” Netanyahu said.

Asked by host Bob Schieffer what the timeline was for Iran’s nuclear capability, Netanyahu suggested it was very close, citing Iran’s ability to create the fissile nuclear material that is at the heart of the bomb.

Asked if the U.S. was being too patient with Iran, the prime minister said U.S. and Israeli clocks were ticking at a different pace because of proximity.

“We'll have to address this question of how to stop Iran, perhaps before the United States does,” Netanyahu said. He encouraged the U.S. to ratchet up sanctions to stop the nuclear program, as well as make it clear that the military option is on the table.

Speaking later on the show, Sen. Dick Durbin said he agreed with the prime minister, calling a nuclear Iran “absolutely unacceptable.”

“Neither the American people or Congress are seeking a war, but if the Iranian leadership should push us to the brink, there will come a point when the United State has to stand up for our best interest and the best interest of our allies in the middle east.”

Netanyahu also weighed in on American politics, saying that the decision the choice of whether to cut off U.S. funding to Egypt was an Internal American decision. He said his main concern was maintenance of the Egypt-Israeli peace treaty.

He walked around questions from Schieffer on whether Israel had carried out an attack in Syria this month.

"Every time something happens in the Middle East-- Israel is accused," he said.

He answered simply that he stood by his policy of preventing the transfer of dangerous weapons to Hezbollah and other terror groups.